On Monday, May 14, 2007, the first-class postage rate will increase from 39 to 41 cents.

Typically, rates are increased to offset processing costs, as was the case five years ago, when the first-class rate was increased from 34 to 37 cents, Walton explained. This year’s increase comes amid a couple other changes at the postal service.

“There are three main focuses,” Walton said. “One is the first class rate increase and the second is a new release we’re introducing called the ‘Forever Stamp.’”

The Forever Stamp, which bears an image of the Liberty Bell, can essentially be forever useful in terms of first-class postage, regardless of future rate hikes. Plus, a forever stamp will cost the current first-class postage rate at the time.

“So, it’ll be good for first-class postage forever,” Walton said. “For instance, if you buy 100 of them now, use 50 of them and put another 50 away, the stamp will still be good many years from now, and you don’t have to put an additional two or three cents on there.”

Once the first-class rate increases, Forever Stamps will be priced as such.

“This will represent a savings for [customers],” Walton said. “The whole purpose behind that is to find ways to make things more convenient for the customer, and this is an idea that came out and seemed to work.”

The third change proves that “shape matters,” in terms of shape-based pricing. While the current pricing structure is based on weight, shape-based pricing is dependent on weight and shape.

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